In Southern Domestic Airspace, where magnetic compasses are reliable, runways are numbered to the nearest 10O of the magnetic heading with the last 0 dropped, on the threshold. A runway with a magnetic heading of 265o, would then be labelled 27. Parallel runways have the further designation of L,C,R (Left, Centre, Right). In Northern Domestic Airspace, runways are number in degrees True, as magnetic compasses will not be used for aircraft navigation.
Runways, taxiways or portions thereof, and helicopter takeoff and landing areas that are closed to aircraft operations are marked by white or yellow X’s, 20 feet in length. Snow covered areas may be marked by X’s formed by conspicuously coloured dye. When a runway, taxiway or helicopter takeoff and landing area is permanently closed all markers and markings except the X’s are removed.
A yellow “X” in a red square panel, indicates that landings are prohibited, and this may be for an extended time. A red square panel with a yellow “/” indicates that caution should be used as the manoeuvring area is in poor condition.
Occasionally “T” shaped markings in white or orange may be present indicating the landing direction, which is along the direction of the shaft of the “T” towards the cross-arm.
Sometimes due to obstructions or maintenance, portions of the threshold of a runway may be unusable, this is noted with a series of arrows and a threshold line. Show below are the two general schemes for permanent and temporary displaced thresholds.
Taxiways are often differentiated from runways with yellow centre lines, and broad yellow crossing lines where they end at the runway. Taxiway lighting is blue. Some aerodromes have a rotating beacon, which is normally used at night to help locate the airport. When operated during the day it indicates that the weather is below Visual Flight Rules (VFR) limitations.